Mobile device and method for performing function based on short-range communication

ABSTRACT

A mobile device and method for performing a function using a short-range communication tag are provided. In the method, the mobile device inputs function-related information into a short-range communication tag, and recognizes proximity to or contact with the short-range communication tag. Then the mobile device reads the function-related information from the short-range communication tag, and performs a function correlated with the function-related information. This allows performing various functions of the mobile device, only depending on a user&#39;s action to bring the mobile device in proximity to or contact with the Near Field Communication (NFC) tag.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of a prior applicationSer. No. 13/370,741, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, which claimed the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Feb. 11,2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2011-0012377, the entire disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile device technology based on ashort-range communication. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a mobile device and method for performing a function using ashort-range communication tag.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the remarkable growth of related technologies, a great variety ofmobile devices are increasingly popular and currently available. Mobiledevices not only provide a voice call service, but also offer severaldata transmission services and various additional services, thusevolving into multimedia communication devices.

Some mobile devices introduced recently have a Near Field Communication(NFC) module to execute NFC-based services. Currently, these mobiledevices perform a function to read information from an NFC tag or totransmit information to other mobile devices having an NFC module.

However, in view of user's convenience, NFC-based services still haveplenty of room for further improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a method for performing a function of a mobiledevice by using a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag in order to enhanceuser's convenience.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mobile devicefor realizing the above method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for performinga function of a mobile device by using a short-range communication isprovided. The method includes inputting function-related informationinto a short-range communication tag, recognizing proximity to orcontact with the short-range communication tag, reading thefunction-related information from the short-range communication tag, andperforming a function correlated with the function-related information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobile devicefor performing a function thereof by using a short-range communicationis provided. The mobile device includes an information inputting unitconfigured to input function-related information into a short-rangecommunication tag, a short-range communication module unit configured todetect proximity to or contact with the short-range communication tag,an information reading unit configured to read the function-relatedinformation from the short-range communication tag, and a functionperforming unit configured to perform a function correlated with thefunction-related information.

Various aspects of this invention may allow performing a function of themobile device, connecting the mobile device to a specific Bluetooth orWi-Fi device, updating application-related data of the mobile device,and outputting data stored in the mobile device through an externalelectronic device, only depending on a user's action to bring the mobiledevice in proximity to or contact with the NFC tag.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic scheme of a NearField Communication (NFC) service system using an NFC tag in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile device in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in which a mobile deviceperforms a function by using an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device is connected to a selected Wi-Fi deviceor Bluetooth device through an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 4 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device accesses a selected web server throughan NFC tag in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 304 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 301 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 304 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device transmits data to a selected electronicdevice through an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 301 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 304 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows screenshots of a display screen in connection with FIG. 4in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows screenshots of a display screen in connection with FIG. 11in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

A mobile device according to exemplary embodiments of this invention isa device having a short-range communication module, and may be embodiedas a mobile communication terminal, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP),a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, an MP3 player, andany other electronic device or multimedia player.

The short-range communication module in this invention may include, butis not limited to, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, a Bluetoothmodule, a Wi-Fi module, a Zigbee communication module, an infraredcommunication module, or the like. A disclosure set forth herein isbased on the assumption that the mobile device essentially includes theNFC module.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic scheme of an NFCservice system using an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an NFC service available for a short-rangecommunication (within 10 km) is used for electronic payment, datacommunication, etc. and uses a specific frequency band (e.g., 13.56MHz). The NFC service system includes a mobile device 100 and an NFC tag200.

The mobile device 100, carried by a user, has an NFC module that caninput information into the NFC tag 200 and also can read informationfrom the NFC tag 200. Additionally, the mobile device 100 has a Wi-Fimodule that performs a connection with any Wi-Fi device through anaccess point, or a Bluetooth module that performs a connection with anyBluetooth device.

The NFC tag 200 is a kind of memory device and stores prescribedinformation. More specifically, the NFC tag 200 may store a serviceidentifier, also referred to as a unique identifier, and service data,also referred to as NFC data exchange format data. In exemplaryembodiments of this invention, the NFC tag 200 not only stores webpagelinks, email links, and phone numbers, designated by a user, but alsostores connection information about short-range communication devices tobe connected, connection information about access points to beconnected, identification information about applications to be executed,web addresses (e.g., Uniform Resource Links (URLs)) to be accessed whenapplications are selectively executed, identification information aboutelectronic devices to output data, and the like. In an exemplaryimplementation, the NFC tag 200 has an attachable/detachable form sothat a user can attach it to a desired place or device.

In this disclosure, the NFC tag 200 is described as, but is not limitedto, a ‘short-distance communication tag’. Alternatively, any othermemory chip type tags used in short-range communications may befavorably used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile device in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile device 100 includes a mobilecommunication unit 110, an audio processing unit 120, a short-rangecommunication module unit 130, a memory unit 140, an input unit 150, adisplay unit 160, and a control unit 170.

The mobile communication unit 110 performs a function to transmit andreceive data for wireless communication of the mobile device 100.Normally, the mobile communication unit 110 may include a RadioFrequency (RF) transmitter that up-converts the frequency of an outgoingsignal and amplifies the signal, an RF receiver that amplifies withlow-noise an incoming signal and down-converts the frequency of thesignal, and the like. Additionally, the mobile communication unit 110may receive data through a wireless channel and output it to the controlunit 170, and also receive data from the control unit 170 and transmitit through a wireless channel.

The audio processing unit 120 may include a codec which may be composedof a data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec forprocessing an audio signal such as a voice. The audio processing unit120 converts a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal throughthe audio codec and outputs it through a speaker, and also convents ananalog audio signal received from a microphone into a digital audiosignal through the audio codec.

The short-range communication module unit 130 is an element thatperforms a short-range communication with any external device locatedwithin a specific range. In an exemplary implementation, the short-rangecommunication module unit 130 includes an NFC module 131 and a Wi-Fimodule 132. This is, however, exemplary only and not to be considered asa limitation of the present invention. In another exemplary embodiment,the short-range communication module unit 130 may further include aBluetooth communication module, a Zigbee communication module, a RadioFrequency IDentification (RFID) module, or the like.

The NFC module 131 detects proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200,creates a detection signal, and sends it to the control unit 170. TheNFC module 131 inputs information into the NFC tag 200 or readsinformation from the NFC tag 200 under the control of the control unit170.

The Wi-Fi module 132 is connected to any Access Point (AP) or to anyexternal device having a Wi-Fi module and establishes a communicationchannel. The Wi-Fi module 132 performs a scan throughout all channels,sends a probe request to the APs or external devices, and receives aprobe response from the APs or external devices. By doing so, the mobiledevice 100 can search the APs or external devices. When receiving aconnecting command from the control unit 170, the Wi-Fi module 132 isconnected to a selected AP or external device and thereby establishes acommunication channel.

The short-range communication module unit 130 may further include theBluetooth module that searches for neighboring Bluetooth devices bybroadcasting an inquiry signal and receiving a response signal. Whenreceiving a pairing and connecting command from the control unit 170,the Bluetooth module performs a pairing and connecting process with aselected Bluetooth device and thereby establishes a communicationchannel.

The memory unit 140 stores programs and data required for operations ofthe mobile device 100 and may consist of a program region and a dataregion. The program region may store an Operating System (OS) andprograms for booting and operating the mobile device 100, applicationsrequired for the playback of multimedia contents, and applicationsrequired for the execution of various optional functions of the mobiledevice 100, such as a camera function, a sound reproduction function, animage or video playback function, and the like. The data region storesdata created while the mobile device 100 is used, such as an image, avideo, a phonebook, an audio, etc.

The input unit 150 receives a user's key manipulation for controllingthe mobile device 100, creates a corresponding input signal, anddelivers it to the control unit 170. The input unit 150 may be formed ofa keypad based on the 3*4 or QWERTY key layout and having alphanumerickeys and navigation keys. Alternatively or additionally, the input unit150 may be formed of a touch panel, a button key, a jog key, a wheelkey, and the like. Depending on a user's input action, the input unit150 creates various input signals for performing functions (e.g., a callfunction, a video or music playback function, an image display function,a broadcast receiving function, a camera function, etc.) of the mobiledevice 100 and sends them to the control unit 170.

The display unit 160 may be formed of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), anOrganic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), an Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED), orany equivalent. The display unit 160 visually offers a menu, input data,function setting information, and any other various information of themobile device 100 to a user. The display unit 160 performs a function tooutput a booting screen, an idle screen, a menu screen, a call screen,or any other application screens of the mobile device 100.

The control unit 170 performs various functions to control operations ofthe mobile device 100. The control unit 170, according to an exemplaryembodiment of this invention, includes an information inputting unit171, an information reading unit 172, and a function performing unit173.

The information inputting unit 171 inputs information into the NFC tag200 through the NFC module 131. More particularly, the informationinputting unit 171 inputs information related to functions to beperformed by the mobile device 100 into the NFC tag 200. The informationinputting unit 171 recognizes that a menu item for the registration of aBluetooth or Wi-Fi device is selected in a tag menu, and determineswhether any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device is currently connected. If thereis a connected Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device, the information inputting unit171 controls the display unit 160 to display a list of the connectedBluetooth or Wi-Fi devices. The information inputting unit 171recognizes a selection of a certain device in the list through the inputunit 150 and, when recognizing proximity to or contact with the NFC tag200 through the NFC module 131, inputs connection information about theselected device into the NFC tag 200. If a connected device is aBluetooth device, connection information may be a Bluetooth ADDRess(BD_ADDR) and a Personal Identity Number (PIN) code. If a connecteddevice is a Wi-Fi device, connection information may be a Service SetIDentifier (SSID), a security type, and a password.

If no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device is connected, the information inputtingunit 171 controls the display unit 160 to display an input window forreceiving connection information about Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices. Theinformation inputting unit 171 receives connection information in theinput window from the input unit 150 and, when recognizing proximity toor contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131, inputs thereceived connection information into the NFC tag 200.

In another exemplary embodiment, the information inputting unit 171recognizes that a menu item for data synchronization is selected in thetag menu, and controls the display unit 160 to display a list ofapplications installed in the mobile device 100. The informationinputting unit 171 recognizes a selection of a certain application inthe list through the input unit 150 and, when recognizing proximity toor contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131, inputsidentification information about the selected application and a webaddress to be accessed into the NFC tag 200.

Additionally, when recognizing a selection of a certain application inthe application list through the input unit 150, the informationinputting unit 171 may determine whether the mobile device 100 iscurrently connected to any AP through the Wi-Fi module 132. If so, theinformation inputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 to displayconnection information about the connected AP and, when recognizingproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131,inputs identification information about the selected application, a webaddress to be accessed, and connection information about the connectedAP into the NFC tag 200.

If the mobile device 100 is not connected to any AP, the informationinputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 to display an inputwindow for receiving connection information about APs. The informationinputting unit 171 receives AP connection information in the inputwindow from the input unit 150 and, when recognizing proximity to orcontact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131, inputsidentification information about the selected application, a web addressto be accessed, and the received AP connection information into the NFCtag 200.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the information inputting unit171 performs a connection with any AP through the Wi-Fi module 132 and,when recognizing that a menu item for the registration of an electronicdevice is selected in the tag menu through the input unit 150, controlsthe display unit 160 to display a list of electronic devices coupled tothe currently connected AP. The information inputting unit 171recognizes a selection of a certain electronic device in the listthrough the input unit 150 and, when recognizing proximity to or contactwith the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131, inputs connectioninformation about the currently connected AP and identificationinformation about the selected electronic device into the NFC tag 200.

Additionally, when recognizing a selection of the electronic deviceregistration menu item in the tag menu through the input unit 150, theinformation inputting unit 171 may control the display unit 160 todisplay an input menu for AP connection information and electronicdevice identification information. The information inputting unit 171receives AP connection information and electronic device identificationinformation from the input unit 150 and, when recognizing proximity toor contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131, inputs thereceived AP connection information and electronic device identificationinformation into the NFC tag 200.

The information reading unit 172 reads information from the NFC tag 200.According to exemplary embodiments of this invention, the informationreading unit 172 may read Bluetooth device connection information, suchas a BD_ADDR and a PIN code, or Wi-Fi device connection information,such as an SSID, a security type, and a password. Additionally, theinformation reading unit 172 may read, from the NFC tag 200,identification information about an application to be executed and a webaddress to be accessed. In this case, the information reading unit 172may further read, from the NFC tag 200, connection information about anAP to be connected. In some exemplary embodiments of this invention, theinformation reading unit 172 may read, from the NFC tag 200, connectioninformation about an AP to be connected and identification informationabout an electronic device to output data.

The function performing unit 173 performs a function on the basis ofinformation read from the NFC tag 200. If the information reading unit172 reads connection information about a Bluetooth device from the NFCtag 200, the function performing unit 173 performs a connection with theBluetooth device according to the read connection information. Also, ifthe information reading unit 172 reads connection information about aWi-Fi device from the NFC tag 200, the function performing unit 173performs a connection with the Wi-Fi device according to the readconnection information.

In another exemplary embodiment, if the information reading unit 172reads, from the NFC tag 200, identification information about anapplication to be executed and a web address to be accessed, thefunction performing unit 173 executes the application according to theread identification information and accesses a web server through themobile communication unit 110 or the Wi-Fi module 132 according to theread web address. If the information reading unit 172 further readsconnection information about an AP, the function performing unit 173 mayperform a connection with the AP by controlling the Wi-Fi module 132according to the read connection information, execute the applicationaccording to the read identification information, and access a webserver through the AP connected according to the read web address.

In still another exemplary embodiment, if the information reading unit172 reads, from the NFC tag 200, connection information about an AP andidentification information about an electronic device, the functionperforming unit 173 performs a connection with the AP by controlling theWi-Fi module 132 according to the read connection information, searchesfor the electronic device according to the read identificationinformation, and transmits prescribed data to the electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in which a mobile deviceperforms a function by using an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the information inputting unit 171 inputsinformation related to the execution of functions (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as function-related information) into the NFC tag 200 bycontrolling the NFC module 131 in step 301. Function-related informationmay vary according to the function to be performed by the mobile device100 and may include connection information about a Bluetooth device tobe connected, connection information about a Wi-Fi device to beconnected, identification information about an application to beexecuted, a web address of a web server to be accessed, identificationinformation about an electronic device to output contents beingcurrently executed, and the like. While the NFC module 131 is in a stateof proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200, the informationinputting unit 171 inputs function-related information into the NFC tag200. A more detailed process of step 301 will be described later withreference to FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 12 and 13. The NFC tag 200 into whichinformation is input is attached to a certain place or device.

In step 302, the control unit 170 recognizes, through the NFC module131, that the mobile device 100 is in proximity to or contact with theNFC tag 200. More specifically, when a user brings the mobile device 100in proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 attached to some placeor device, the NFC module 131 detects proximity to or contact with theNFC tag 200, creates a detection signal, and sends it to the controlunit 170. The control unit 170 receives the detection signal from theNFC module 131 and hence recognizes proximity to or contact with the NFCtag 200.

In step 303, the information reading unit 172 reads function-relatedinformation from the NFC tag 200 by controlling the NFC module 131. Instep 303, the information reading unit 172 may read Bluetooth deviceconnection information, such as a Bluetooth address and a PIN code, orWi-Fi device connection information, such as an SSID, a security type,and a password. In another exemplary embodiment, the information readingunit 172 may read, from the NFC tag 200, identification informationabout an application to be executed and a web address to be accessed. Inthis case, the information reading unit 172 may further read, from theNFC tag 200, connection information about an AP to be connected. Instill another exemplary embodiment, the information reading unit 172 mayread, from the NFC tag 200, connection information about an AP to beconnected and identification information about an electronic device tooutput data. The information reading unit 172 sends the readfunction-related information to the function performing unit 173.

In step 304, the function performing unit 173 performs a functioncorrelated with the function-related information that is read by theinformation reading unit 172. If the information reading unit 172 readsconnection information about a Bluetooth device from the NFC tag 200,the function performing unit 173 performs a connection with theBluetooth device according to the read connection information. Also, ifthe information reading unit 172 reads connection information about aWi-Fi device from the NFC tag 200, the function performing unit 173performs a connection with the Wi-Fi device according to the readconnection information.

If the information reading unit 172 reads, from the NFC tag 200,identification information about an application to be executed and a webaddress to be accessed, the function performing unit 173 executes theapplication according to the read identification information, andaccesses a web server through the mobile communication unit 110 or theWi-Fi module 132 according to the read web address. If the informationreading unit 172 reads, from the NFC tag 200, connection informationabout an AP and identification information about an electronic device,the function performing unit 173 performs a connection with the AP bycontrolling the Wi-Fi module 132 according to the read connectioninformation, searches for the electronic device according to the readidentification information, and transmits prescribed data to theelectronic device. A more detailed process of step 304 will be describedlater with reference to FIGS. 8, 10 and 14.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device is connected to a selected Wi-Fi deviceor Bluetooth device through an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the system includes the mobile device 100, the NFCtag 200, a Wi-Fi device 300, and a Bluetooth device 400. According to anexemplary implementation, the system of FIG. 4 may include both or oneof the Wi-Fi device 300 and the Bluetooth device 400.

The mobile device 100 and the NFC tag 200 in this system correspond tothose shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and a description of the same willbe avoided hereinafter.

The Wi-Fi device 300 may be composed of an AP 301 and a Wi-Fi mobiledevice 302.

The AP 301 corresponds to a base station that supports a wireless accessand network connection of the mobile device 100. The AP 301 is connectedto a service provider server through a gateway and allows a wirelesscommunication between the mobile device 100 and a service providerserver.

The Wi-Fi mobile device 302 has a Wi-Fi module and performs a Wi-Fibased communication with the mobile device 100. The Wi-Fi mobile device302 is connected to the mobile device 100 through the Wi-Fi Direct.Namely, the mobile device 100 and the Wi-Fi mobile device 302 performtheir respective search processes, select the Group Owner, and thenperform a Peer-To-Peer (P2P) communication.

The Bluetooth device 400 has a Bluetooth module and performs Bluetoothcommunication with the mobile device 100. Using a BD_ADDR and a PINcode, the mobile device 100 performs a connection with the Bluetoothdevice 400.

In the system of FIG. 4, the mobile device 100 inputs Bluetooth deviceconnection information, such as a BD_ADDR and a PIN code, or Wi-Fidevice connection information, such as an SSID, a security type, and apassword, into the NFC tag 200. Thereafter, when detecting proximity toor contact with the NFC tag 200, the mobile device 100 performs aconnection with the Wi-Fi device 300 or the Bluetooth device 400according to the Bluetooth device connection information or the Wi-Fidevice connection information stored in the NFC tag 200.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes thata tag menu is selected among main menus through the input unit 150 instep 501. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, the main menus ofthe mobile device 100 contain the tag menu that corresponds to anapplication for reading a short-range communication tag (e.g., the NFCtag) or for inputting information into the short-range communicationtag.

FIG. 15 shows screenshots of a display screen in connection with FIG. 5according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, frame [a] shows a home screen in which a pluralityof main menu icons are arranged and the tag menu is assigned to one ofthem.

Referring again to FIG. 5, after recognizing a selection of the tag menuthrough the input unit 150, in step 502, the information inputting unit171 recognizes that a menu item for the registration of a Bluetooth orWi-Fi device is selected in the tag menu through the input unit 150.More specifically, when the tag menu is selected, the informationinputting unit 171 may control the display unit 160 to display menuitems in the tag menu. As shown in frame [b] of FIG. 15, the menu itemsin the tag menu may include a menu item for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi deviceregistration, a menu item for data synchronization, and a menu item forelectronic device registration. The menu item for Bluetooth or Wi-Fidevice registration is used to input, into the NFC tag 200, connectioninformation about a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device to be automaticallyconnected by the mobile device 100. The exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 5 is based on the assumption that a user selects the menu item forBluetooth or Wi-Fi device registration among menu items of the tag menu.

After the menu item for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device registration isselected, in step 503, the information inputting unit 171 determineswhether any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device is currently connected through aBluetooth module (not shown) or the Wi-Fi module 132.

If it is determined in step 503 that there is a connected Bluetooth orWi-Fi device, in step 504, the information inputting unit 171 controlsthe display unit 160 to display a list of the connected Bluetooth orWi-Fi devices. Here, under the control of the information inputting unit171, the display unit 160 may display a Bluetooth name, a Bluetoothaddress, etc. of the Bluetooth device or an SSID, a security type, etc.of the Wi-Fi device.

Frame [c] of FIG. 15 shows a list of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devicescurrently connected. In frame [c] of FIG. 15, ‘4370’ corresponds to aBluetooth name and ‘iptime-rula’ corresponds to an SSID.

In the list of currently connected Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices, a usermay select a desired device to be automatically connected. After auser's selection, in step 505, the information inputting unit 171recognizes the selected device through the input unit 150.

In step 506, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 to determine whether proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 isdetected. More specifically, a user brings the mobile device 100 inproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 so as to input deviceconnection information into the NFC tag 200. Alternatively, a user maybring the NFC tag 200 in proximity to or contact with the mobile device100. Thereafter, when the NFC tag 200 is approaching within a givendistance from the mobile device 100 or touched with the mobile device100, the NFC module 131 detects proximity to or contact with the NFC tag200, and thereby the information inputting unit 171 recognizes proximityto or contact with the NFC tag 200.

In step 507, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 and thereby inputs connection information about the selected deviceinto the NFC tag 200. Therefore, the NFC tag 200 stores connectioninformation about a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device to be connected. Inaddition, a user may attach the NFC tag 200 to a desired place ordevice. For instance, if a user wants a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectionwith a selected device at a desired place, he or she may attach the NFCtag 200 to that place. Also, a user may attach the NFC tag 200 directlyto a specific device selected for a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

In contrast, if it is determined in step 503 that the mobile device 100is not currently connected to any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device, in step508, the information inputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 todisplay an input window for receiving Bluetooth or Wi-Fi deviceconnection information. In this step, the display unit 160 may displayboth or one of the input windows for Bluetooth device connectioninformation and the input window for Wi-Fi device connectioninformation. As shown in a frame [d] of FIG. 15, the input window forBluetooth device connection information may contain a Bluetooth addressinput window and a PIN code input window, and the input window for Wi-Fidevice connection information may contain an SSID input window, asecurity type input window, and a password input window.

In step 509, the information inputting unit 171 receives connectioninformation from the input unit 150. Namely, if a user desires aconnection of any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device, he or she enters deviceconnection information into the input window on the display unit 160through the input unit 150.

Thereafter, in step 510, the information inputting unit 171 determineswhether proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 is detected. Morespecifically, when the NFC tag 200 is approaching within a givendistance from the mobile device 100 or touched with the mobile device100, the NFC module 131 detects proximity to or contact with the NFC tag200, and thereby the information inputting unit 171 recognizes proximityto or contact with the NFC tag 200.

In step 511, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 and thereby inputs the received device connection information intothe NFC tag 200. Therefore, the NFC tag 200 comes to store connectioninformation about a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device to be connected. Inaddition, a user may attach the NFC tag 200 to a desired place ordevice.

Thereafter, as discussed above, the control unit 170 recognizesproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131in step 302 of FIG. 3, and, in step 303, the information reading unit172 reads Bluetooth device connection information or Wi-Fi deviceconnection information from the NFC tag 200. In step 304, the functionperforming unit 173 performs a connection with the Bluetooth or Wi-Fidevice according to the read connection information. In this step, thefunction performing unit 173 searches for the Bluetooth device accordingto Bluetooth address information and performs a connection procedureaccording to PIN code information. Also, the function performing unit173 searches for the Wi-Fi device according to SSID information andperforms a connection procedure according to security type informationand password information.

In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a user can easilyobtain an automatic connection with a desired Wi-Fi or Bluetooth deviceby only bringing the mobile device 100 in proximity to or contact withthe NFC tag 200.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device accesses a selected web server throughan NFC tag in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the system includes the mobile device 100, the NFCtag 200, the AP 301, a web server 500, and a mobile communicationnetwork 600. In other exemplary embodiments of this invention, one ofthe AP 301 and the mobile communication network 600 may be omitted fromthe system of FIG. 6.

The mobile device 100 and the NFC tag 200 in this system correspond tothose shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and a description of the same willbe avoided hereinafter. In addition, the AP 301 corresponds to thatshown in FIG. 4, and a description of the same will be avoidedhereinafter.

The web server 500 offers a data transmission/reception service to themobile device 100. When the mobile device 100 accesses the web server500 and requests data, the web server 500 sends requested data to themobile device 100.

The mobile communication network 600 is operated by a mobilecommunication system and supports wireless communication between themobile device 100 and the web server 500. A wireless interface availablefor the mobile communication network 600 may be Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), or the like. Incase of being based on a CDMA interface, the mobile communicationnetwork 600 may include a plurality of Base Station Controllers (BSCs)and a Mobile Switching Center (MSC).

In the system shown in FIG. 6, the mobile device 100 inputsidentification information about an application to be executed and a webaddress of a web server to be accessed into the NFC tag 200. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the mobile device 100 may further input connectioninformation about the AP 301 to be connected into the NFC tag 200.Thereafter, when recognizing proximity to or contact with the NFC tag200, the mobile device 100 may execute a selected application accordingto application identification information stored in the NFC tag 200,access a selected web server according to a web address stored in theNFC tag 200, and synchronize data related to the executed application.In still another exemplary embodiment, the mobile device 100 may performa connection with the AP 301 according to AP connection informationstored in the NFC tag 200, execute a selected application, and assess aselected web server, and synchronize data related to the executedapplication.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes thata tag menu is selected among main menus through the input unit 150 instep 701. In step 702, the information inputting unit 171 recognizesthat a menu item for data synchronization is selected in the tag menuthrough the input unit 150. More specifically, after the tag menu isselected, the information inputting unit 171 may control the displayunit 160 to display menu items in the tag menu. As discussed above, themenu items in the tag menu may include a menu item for Bluetooth orWi-Fi device registration, a menu item for data synchronization, and amenu item for electronic device registration. The menu item for datasynchronization is to input application identification information and aweb server address so as to automatically update data in connection witha selected application. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7 isbased on the assumption that a user selects the menu item for datasynchronization among menu items of the tag menu.

After the menu item for data synchronization is selected, in step 703,the information inputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 todisplay a list of applications installed in the mobile device 100. Instep 704, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes an applicationselected by a user through the input unit 150. Namely, when a userselects a desired application for data synchronization, the informationinputting unit 171 recognizes the selected application through the inputunit 150. In this step, a user may select one or more applications.

In step 705, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 to determine whether proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 isdetected. More specifically, a user brings the mobile device 100 inproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 so as to input deviceconnection information into the NFC tag 200. Alternatively, a user maybring the NFC tag 200 in proximity to or contact with the mobile device100. Thereafter, when the NFC tag 200 is approaching within a givendistance from the mobile device 100 or touched with the mobile device100, the NFC module 131 detects proximity to or contact with the NFC tag200, and thereby the information inputting unit 171 recognizes proximityto or contact with the NFC tag 200.

In step 706, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 and thereby inputs identification information about an applicationselected by a user and a web address to be accessed in connection withthe application into the NFC tag 200. Thereafter, a user attaches theNFC tag 200 to a desired place or device. The web address may be storedin the form of a URL indicating the location of a web file.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 304 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. A process shown in FIG. 8 is correlated with aprocess shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the control unit 170 recognizes proximityto or contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131 in step302 of FIG. 3, and, in step 303, the information reading unit 172 readsapplication identification information and web address information fromthe NFC tag 200.

In step 801, the function performing unit 173 executes a specificapplication according to the application identification informationstored in the NFC tag 200 and, in step 802, accesses the web server 500according to the web address stored in the NFC tag 200. Namely, thefunction performing unit 173 may access the web server 500 through themobile communication network 600 by controlling the mobile communicationunit 110, or access the web server 500 through the AP 301 afteraccessing the AP 301 by controlling the Wi-Fi module 132.

In step 803, the function performing unit 173 determines whether datastored in the mobile device 100 is identical to data registered in theweb server 500. Namely, step 803 is to determine whether data is thenewest in connection with the executed application. If data stored inthe mobile device 100 is not identical to data registered in the webserver 500, namely if data stored in the mobile device 100 is not thenewest, in step 804, the function performing unit 173 controls themobile communication unit 110 or the Wi-Fi module 132 and therebyreceives data from the web server 500 to update data. If data stored inthe mobile device 100 is identical to data registered in the web server500, namely if data stored in the mobile device 100 is the newest, instep 805, the function performing unit 173 ends a data synchronizationprocess.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 301 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, steps 901 to 904 correspond to the aforesaid steps701 to 704, respectively, and a description of the same will be avoidedhereinafter.

After recognizing a user's selection of any application through theinput unit 150, in step 905, the information inputting unit 171 controlsthe Wi-Fi module 132 and thereby determines whether any AP is currentlyconnected. If the AP is connected, in step 906, the informationinputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 to display connectioninformation about the AP currently connected. In step 907, theinformation inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module 131 to determinewhether proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 is detected. Whenthe NFC tag 200 is approaching within a given distance from the mobiledevice 100 or touched with the mobile device 100, the NFC module 131detects proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200, and thereby theinformation inputting unit 171 recognizes proximity to or contact withthe NFC tag 200.

In step 908, the information inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module131 and thereby inputs identification information about an applicationselected by a user, a web address to be accessed in connection with theapplication, and connection information of the AP, into the NFC tag 200.Thereafter, a user attaches the NFC tag 200 to a desired place ordevice.

If it is determined that no AP is connected in step 905, in step 909,the information inputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 todisplay an input window for AP connection information and, in step 910,receives AP connection information from a user through the input unit150. And, the information inputting unit 171 performs theabove-discussed steps 907 and 908.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 304 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. A process shown in FIG. 10 is correlated witha process shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the control unit 170 recognizesproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131in step 302 of FIG. 3, and, in step 303, the information reading unit172 reads application identification information, web addressinformation and AP connection information from the NFC tag 200.

In step 1001, the function performing unit 173 controls the Wi-Fi module132 and thereby performs a connection with the AP 301 according to theAP connection information stored in the NFC tag 200. In step 1002, thefunction performing unit 173 executes a specific application accordingto the application identification information stored in the NFC tag 200and, in step 1003, accesses the web server 500 according to the webaddress stored in the NFC tag 200. Namely, the function performing unit173 accesses the web server 500 through the AP 301 by controlling theWi-Fi module 132.

In step 1004, the function performing unit 173 determines whether datastored in the mobile device 100 is identical to data registered in theweb server 500. If data stored in the mobile device 100 is not identicalto data registered in the web server 500, in step 1005, the functionperforming unit 173 controls the Wi-Fi module 132 and thereby receivesdata from the web server 500 to update data. If data stored in themobile device 100 is identical to data registered in the web server 500,in step 1006, the function performing unit 173 ends a datasynchronization process.

For instance, if a specific application ‘today's food menu’ is installedin the mobile device 110, the NFC tag 200 may store applicationidentification information and a URL indicating update data location andalso may be attached to the front of a restaurant. A user can obtaininformation about today's food menu by only bringing the mobile device100 in proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a system for offering a specificservice in which a mobile device transmits data to a selected electronicdevice through an NFC tag in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the system includes the mobile device 100, the NFCtag 200, the AP 301, and an electronic device 700.

The mobile device 100 and the NFC tag 200 in this system correspond tothose shown in FIG. 2, respectively, and a description of the same willbe avoided hereinafter. In addition, the AP 301 corresponds to thatshown in FIG. 4, and a description of the same will be avoidedhereinafter.

The electronic device 700 has a Wi-Fi module and outputs or stores data.In some exemplary embodiments of this invention, the electronic device700 may be a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified devicesuch as a printer, a TV, a projector, or the like. The electronic device700 is connected to the mobile device 100 through the AP 301 and mayoutput contents received from the mobile device 100.

In the system shown in FIG. 11, the mobile device 100 inputsidentification information about the electronic device 700 to outputcontents and connection information about the AP 301 into the NFC tag200. Thereafter, when recognizing proximity to or contact with the NFCtag 200, the mobile device 100 performs a connection with the AP 301according to AP connection information stored in the NFC tag 200, andsearches for the electronic device 700 according to electronic deviceidentification information stored in the NFC tag 200. The mobile device100 sends contents, being currently executed, to the electronic device700. And the electronic device 700 executes contents received from themobile device 100.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 301 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the control unit 170 controls the Wi-Fi module 132and thereby performs a connection with the AP 301 in step 1201. Aninformation inputting process shown in FIG. 12 is performed in a statewhere the mobile device 100 is connected to the AP 301.

In step 1202, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes that a tagmenu is selected among main menus through the input unit 150. In step1203, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes that a menu item forthe registration of an electronic device is selected in the tag menuthrough the input unit 150. More specifically, after the tag menu isselected, the information inputting unit 171 may control the displayunit 160 to display menu items in the tag menu. As discussed above, themenu items in the tag menu may include a menu item for Bluetooth orWi-Fi device registration, a menu item for data synchronization, and amenu item for electronic device registration. The menu item forelectronic device registration is to input, into the NFC tag 200,identification information about an electronic device that will outputcontent being executed in the mobile device 100. This exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 12 is based on the assumption that a userselects the menu item for electronic device registration among menuitems of the tag menu.

After the menu item for electronic device registration is selected, instep 1204, the information inputting unit 171 controls the display unit160 to display a list of electronic devices connected to the current AP301. In this step, the information inputting unit 171 may control thedisplay unit 160 to first display a list of currently connected APs and,when one of the APs is selected, to display a list of electronic devicesconnected to the selected AP.

FIG. 16 shows screenshots of a display screen in connection with FIG. 11according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, frame [a] shows a list of APs currently connectedto the mobile device 100. In frame [a], ‘iptime-rula’ corresponds to theSSID of the currently connected AP 301. Additionally, frame [b] of FIG.16 shows a list of electronic devices connected to the AP 301. ‘HPLaserJet P3005 PCL 6’ corresponds to a printer name, and ‘TV’ and‘projector’ correspond to DLNA device names. ‘Digital Media Player’(DMP) and ‘Digital Media Renderer’ (DMR) correspond to DLNA devicetypes.

In step 1205, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes anelectronic device selected through the input unit 150. In step 1206, theinformation inputting unit 171 controls the NFC module 131 to determinewhether proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 is detected. Whenrecognizing proximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200, in step 1207,the information inputting unit 171 inputs connection information aboutthe AP 301 and identification information about the selected electronicdevice into the NFC tag 200.

The SSID, security type, and password are input as the connectioninformation about the AP 301. If the selected electronic device is anormal device such as a printer, a name of the electronic device isinput. If the selected electronic device is a DLNA device, a DLNA devicename and a device type such as DMP, DMR, Digital Media Server (DMS) andDigital Media Controller (DMC) are input. A user may attach the NFC tag200 to the electronic device to output contents.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating another process of step 301 shownin FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the information inputting unit 171 recognizes thata tag menu is selected among main menus through the input unit 150 instep 1301. In step 1302, the information inputting unit 171 recognizesthat a menu item for the registration of an electronic device isselected in the tag menu through the input unit 150. And, in step 1303,the information inputting unit 171 controls the display unit 160 todisplay input windows for receiving AP connection information andelectronic device identification information.

Frame [c] of FIG. 16 shows input windows for AP connection informationand electronic device identification information. More specifically,frame [c] of FIG. 16 shows an SSID input window, a security type inputwindow, and a password input window in connection with AP connectioninformation, and also shows a device name input window and a device typeinput window in connection with electronic device identificationinformation. A user may enter, into the input windows shown in frame [c]of FIG. 16, connection information about a desired AP and identificationinformation about an electronic device to output contents.

In step 1304, the information inputting unit 171 receives AP connectioninformation and electronic device identification information through theinput unit 150 and, in step 1305, determines whether proximity to orcontact with the NFC tag 200 is detected through the NFC module 131. Ifproximity to or contact with the NFC tag 200 is detected, in step 1306,the information inputting unit 171 inputs the received AP connectioninformation and electronic device identification into the NFC tag 200. Auser may attach the NFC tag 200 to the electronic device to outputcontents.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of step 304 shown inFIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 11 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. A process shown in FIG. 14 is correlated withprocesses shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 12, 13, and 14, after the information inputtingunit 171 inputs AP connection information and electronic deviceidentification information into the NFC tag 200 in step 301 of FIG. 3,the control unit 170 executes content selected according to a user'sinput. Here, executed content may be photo, music, video, or the like.When the control unit 170 recognizes proximity to or contact with theNFC tag 200 through the NFC module 131 in step 302 of FIG. 3, theinformation reading unit 172 reads AP connection information andelectronic device identification information from the NFC tag 200 instep 303.

In step 1401, the function performing unit 173 controls the Wi-Fi module132 to be connected to the AP according to AP connection informationstored in the NFC tag 200. In step 1402, the function performing unit173 searches the electronic device according to electronic deviceidentification information stored in the NFC tag 200. If any electronicdevice corresponding to the read identification information is found,the function performing unit 173 controls the Wi-Fi module 132 to senddata to the found electronic device in step 1403. Here, the functionperforming unit 173 sends currently running contents, together withcontent data containing content execution commands, to the foundelectronic device. The electronic device receives and plays contents.

If electronic device identification information stored in the NFC tag200 corresponds to a printer name, the function performing unit 173converts the current content into a print format and sends it to theprinter.

While this invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for performing a function of a mobiledevice by using a short-range communication, the method comprising:recognizing that a menu item is selected from a tag menu; recognizingfunction-related information associated with the selected menu item; andtransmitting the function-related information to a short-rangecommunication tag, when recognizing a proximity to or contact with theshort-range communication tag, wherein the recognizing that the menuitem is selected from the tag menu comprises: recognizing that a menuitem for a registration of a short-range communication device isselected in the tag menu, and recognizing that a menu item for aregistration of an electronic device is selected from the tag menu, andwherein the recognizing that the menu item for the registration of theshort-range communication device is selected in the tag menu comprises:when there is no short-range communication device currently connected,displaying an input window, and receiving connection information aboutthe short-range communication device through the input window.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the recognizing that the menu item isselected from the tag menu comprises: recognizing that a menu item fordata synchronization is selected from the tag menu.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the recognizing that the menu item for the datasynchronization is selected from the tag menu comprises: displaying alist of applications installed in the mobile device, recognizing that atleast one of the applications is selected from the list, andtransmitting identification information about the selected applicationand a web address to be accessed to the short-range communication tag,when recognizing the proximity to or contact with the short-rangecommunication tag.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the recognizingthat the menu item for the data synchronization is selected from the tagmenu comprises: displaying a list of applications installed in themobile device, recognizing that at least one of the applications isselected from the list, determining whether the mobile device iscurrently connected to any access point, when there is any access pointcurrently connected to the mobile device, displaying connectioninformation about the access point, and transmitting identificationinformation about the selected application, a web address to be accessedand the connection information about the access point to the short-rangecommunication tag, when recognizing the proximity to or contact with theshort-range communication tag.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein therecognizing that the menu item for the data synchronization is selectedfrom the tag menu comprises: when there is no access point currentlyconnected, displaying the input window, receiving the connectioninformation about the access point through the input window, andtransmitting the identification information about the selectedapplication, the web address to be accessed, and the received connectioninformation about the access point to the short-range communication tag,when recognizing the proximity to or contact with the short-rangecommunication tag.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the recognizingthat the menu item for the registration of the short-range communicationdevice is selected from the tag menu further comprises: determiningwhether the mobile device is currently connected to any short-rangecommunication device, when there is any short-range communication devicecurrently connected to the mobile device, displaying a list of theconnected short-range communication devices, recognizing that at leastone of the currently connected short-range communication devices isselected from the list, and transmitting the connection informationabout the selected short-range communication device to the short-rangecommunication tag, when recognizing the proximity to or contact with theshort-range communication tag.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theconnection information about the short-range communication devicecomprises: a Bluetooth address and a Personal Identity Number (PIN) codewhen the short-range communication device is a Bluetooth device, and aService Set IDentifier (SSID), a security type, and a password when theshort-range communication device is a Wi-Fi device.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the recognizing that the menu item for the registrationof the short-range communication device is selected from the tag menufurther comprises: transmitting the received connection informationabout the short-range communication device to the short-rangecommunication tag, when recognizing the proximity to or contact with theshort-range communication tag.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein therecognizing that the menu item for the registration of the electronicdevice is selected from the tag menu further comprises: performing aconnection with an access point, displaying a list of electronic devicesconnected to the access point, recognizing that at least one of theelectronic devices is selected from the list, and transmittingconnection information about the access point and identificationinformation about the selected electronic device to the short-rangecommunication tag, when recognizing the proximity to or contact with theshort-range communication tag.
 10. A method for performing a function ofa mobile device by using a short-range communication, the methodcomprising: recognizing a proximity to or contact with a short-rangecommunication tag; reading function-related information from theshort-range communication tag; and performing a function correspondingto the function-related information, wherein, when the reading of thefunction-related information comprises reading access point connectioninformation and electronic device identification information from theshort-range communication tag, the performing of the function includes:performing a connection with an access point according to the accesspoint connection information, and searching for an electronic deviceaccording to the electronic device identification information.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the reading of the function-relatedinformation comprises reading connection information about a short-rangecommunication device from the short-range communication tag, and whereinthe performing of the function further comprises performing a connectionwith the short-range communication device according to the connectioninformation.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein, when the reading ofthe function-related information comprises reading applicationidentification information and a web address from the short-rangecommunication tag, the performing of the function further comprises:executing an application according to the application identificationinformation, accessing a web server according to the web address,determining whether application-related data stored in the mobile deviceis identical to application-related data registered in the web server,when the application-related data stored in the mobile device and theapplication-related data registered in the web server are not identicalto each other, receiving the application-related data that is registeredin the web server from the web server to update the application-relateddata stored in the mobile device, and when the application-related datastored in the mobile device and the application-related data registeredin the web server are identical to each other, ending a datasynchronization process.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein, when thereading of the function-related information comprises reading the accesspoint connection information, application identification information anda web address from the short-range communication tag, the performing ofthe function further includes: performing the connection with the accesspoint according to the access point connection information, executing anapplication according to the application identification information,accessing a web server according to the web address, determining whetherapplication-related data stored in the mobile device is identical toapplication-related data registered in the web server, when theapplication-related data stored in the mobile device and theapplication-related data registered in the web server are not identicalto each other, receiving the application-related data that is registeredin the web server from the web server to update the application-relateddata stored in the mobile device, and when the application-related datastored in the mobile device and the application-related data registeredin the web server are identical to each other, ending a datasynchronization process.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:executing contents stored in the mobile device.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein, when the reading of the function-related informationcomprises reading the access point connection information and theelectronic device identification information from the short-rangecommunication tag, the performing of the function further includes:sending the executed contents to the electronic device.
 16. A mobiledevice for performing a function by using a short-range communication,the mobile device comprising: a control unit configured to: receive aselection of a menu item from a tag menu, and recognize function-relatedinformation associated with the selected menu item; a short-rangecommunication module unit configured to: detect a proximity to orcontact with the short-range communication tag, and transmit thefunction-related information to a short-range communication tag, whenrecognizing the proximity to or contact with the short-rangecommunication tag; a display unit configured to display a list ofapplications installed in the mobile device; and an informationinputting unit configured to recognize that at least one of applicationsis selected from a list of applications installed in the mobile device.17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the information inputtingunit is further configured to perform at least one of: recognizing thata menu item for a registration of a short-range communication device isselected from the tag menu, recognizing that a menu item for datasynchronization is selected from the tag menu, and recognizing that amenu item for a registration of an electronic device is selected fromthe tag menu.
 18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the informationinputting unit is further configured to: determine whether the mobiledevice is currently connected to any short-range communication device,display a list of the connected short-range communication devices on thedisplay unit when there is any short-range communication devicecurrently connected to the mobile device, and recognize that at leastone of the currently connected short-range communication devices isselected from the list of the connected short-range communicationdevices, and wherein the short-range communication module unit isfurther configured to transmit connection information about the selectedshort-range communication device to the short-range communication tag,when recognizing the proximity to or contact with the short-rangecommunication tag.
 19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein theshort-range communication module unit is further configured to transmitidentification information about the selected application and a webaddress to be accessed to the short-range communication tag, when theshort-range communication module unit detects the proximity to orcontact with the short-range communication tag.
 20. The mobile device ofclaim 17, wherein the information inputting unit is further configuredto: perform a connection with an access point, display a list ofelectronic devices connected to the access point on the display unit,and recognize that at least one of the electronic devices is selectedfrom the list, and wherein the short-range communication module unit isfurther configured to transmit connection information about the accesspoint and identification information about the selected electronicdevice to the short-range communication tag, when recognizing theproximity to or contact with the short-range communication tag.
 21. Amobile device for performing a function by using a short-rangecommunication, the mobile device comprising: a short-range communicationmodule unit configured to detect a proximity to or contact with ashort-range communication tag; an information reading unit configured toread function-related information from the short-range communicationtag; and a function performing unit configured to perform a functioncorresponding to the function-related information, wherein, when theinformation reading unit reads access point connection information andelectronic device identification information from the short-rangecommunication tag, the information reading unit is further configuredto: perform a connection with an access point according to the accesspoint connection information, and search for an electronic deviceaccording to the electronic device identification information.